Top 10 Miter Saws for 2018

If you are someone who works with any sort of woodworking or DIY projects, a miter saw could be high on your list of things to add to your work area. Miter saws allow you to do many different types of cuts, like angled cuts along the edge of wood, cross cuts, and angled cuts along the face of the wood. You can do things like cut lap joints, rabbets, and dadoes with a miter saw. These are extremely handy tools to have.

However, there are some things about a miter saw that could make it less useful to you. For example, non-sliding miter saws can’t cut very wide materials. Choosing the right saw is important to make sure you get the best use out of this tool. That is why we’ve reviewed some of the best miter saws on the market and put together this guide for you.

In-Depth Reviews of the Best Miter Saws on the Market

Now let’s take a closer look at each of these saws. These are the top miter saws on the market today, and to test each of them, we put them all to the test. Each offers something unique to the handyman, DIY warrior, or woodworking professional.

DeWalt
DW715 15-Amp 12-Inch Single-Bevel Compound Miter Saw

DeWalt is a leading name in the world of power tools, saws especially. This one in particular is perfect if you need to take your woodworking on the go. It is one of the most portable saws on our list, weighing less than 50 pounds, and having an easy-to-carry design. It is a precise saw, with an adjustable lock miter system that allows you to do all kinds of angles and precision cuts with ease. You can make bevel cuts of 48 degrees left, and three degrees right. This allows you to do quite a lot of bigger jobs.

If you prefer a compound miter saw over a sliding miter saw, this one has one of the biggest ranges you’ll get for cutting different angles, from a compound saw. It’s a fast and powerful saw as well, allowing you to get 4,000 RPM from the 15-amp motor. It has plenty of safety features, such as a transparent blade guard that automatically lifts out of the way when you cut, and then returns to place when you aren’t cutting.

There is no laser on this miter saw, and that may be the only downside. However, if you don’t like using the laser guide, or you have no preference, this may not be a downside for you at all.

Bosch
120-Volt 12-Inch Dual-Bevel Glide Miter Saw

If you need a miter saw that gives you very exact precision for cutting, you can’t go wrong with this Bosch saw. It features a patented axial glide system that Bosch is known for, which not only allows you to perfect control when cutting, it also takes up far less space in your work area than other sliding miter saws. Despite being very compact, it does offer you a lot of cutting capacity. It can cut 16 inches horizontally, 6.5 inches vertically, and 6.5 inches of crown. That’s a lot of space to make plenty of cuts, more than a standards 12-inch saw would offer.

It does offer an ambidextrous grip so anyone can use it with either hand, and it has an ergonomic design for more comfort. Bosch also equipped this saw with a dust collection system that includes a chute, a vacuum adaptor, and a bag. This means you can keep your space cleaner while you work.

This is not a portable saw, despite its compact size. It weighs nearly 90 pounds and doesn’t have an easy handle. It also does not have a laser guide.

Hitachi
C10FCG 15-Amp 10-Inch Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw

If you are a beginner to the world of DIY projects or handyman tasks, this saw is where you should start. It’s easy to use, well-designed, and should last you for years. It doesn’t have a lot of fancy bells and whistles, and a more experienced carpenter may find it limiting, but the price and the features are perfect for entry-level woodworking.

It is made of lightweight, but durable steel and aluminum, and it has a very accurate calibration. It doesn’t have a laser guide, and the safety features are very basic, but the saw gets nothing but good reviews from first-time users who learned how to use a miter saw with this model.

This isn’t the tool to use for larger projects, because it doesn’t have that wide of a range. However, it’s a very affordable option to get started with.

DeWalt
DWS780 12-Inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw

If you need to be able to make professional, precise cuts that are smooth and perfect every single time, this saw is a great place to start. It tilts in both directions a full 45 degrees, so it can easily tackle crown molding and more. The miter base is very well-designed to work for professional use and is perfect calibrated.

This saw does lack a laser system, and the safety features are a bit lack luster – both things are indicative of the fact that this saw is really meant for professionals. It is one of the most lightweight professional miter saws out there, weighing only 56 pounds, and the high-quality materials mean this saw will last. It also has a great dust collection set up, and DeWalt actually guarantees that 75% of the dust will be collected by the system.

Skil
3821-01 12-inch Quick Mount Compound Miter Saw with Laser

If you need a saw that practically does the work for you, this one from Skil is ideal. It has a variety of very user-friendly features, such as a laser guide to keep your cuts accurate, a clamp to keep your materials in place, and nine positive stops that make it very stable. The design, performance, quality, and price on this saw are all perfect compared to similar saws. It also is designed to help reduce vibration while you work.

This is a great tool for a more advanced hobbyist, or someone who wants a single saw to go from hobby work to professional work. The only real downside is that it’s a fairly simple design and lacks those cutting-edge features like an LCD screen.

Makita
LS1040 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw

Need a saw that won’t budge once you put it in place? This is the model for you. It has a powerful motor and an awesome safety fence to keep you out of harm’s way, but the non-sliding arm is extremely stable while you are working. If you are looking for a great 10-inch saw, this is our top choice. It has lots of power, and the stability makes you more accurate. Power and accuracy are the two most important things with a miter saw, after all.

The only downsides are that you can’t get a stand for this saw, and that it doesn’t collect dust well at all. But beyond that, it has everything going for it. At under 30 pounds, it can be easily hauled around to jobs or other parts of a work area.

Hitachi
C12RSH2 15-Amp 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw with Laser Marker

Do you want all the features of the most expensive saws out there, but need to keep your budget in check? This saw is one of the better options you could choose. It features extremely high quality materials, with a design that is meant to help you with accuracy. From the laser guide system to the sturdy and reliable body design, this saw is perfect for someone that is looking for a way to get the best of both worlds. Get the power and precision you need without breaking the bank.

It does have a sliding fence that keeps you safe while you work, and the handle is cushioned to help block out vibrations. This saw does suffer from a lack of great dust collecting, but beyond that, it’s an excellent choice when you’re looking to invest in something you can afford.

Makita
LS1221 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw

Do you need a saw that offers a little bit more flexibility than other miter saws on the market? Check out this one from Makita. It can cut both wood and aluminum, and it has a very large capacity. It can cut through material that is four by six inches, which is exceptional for such a lightweight and small miter saw. The powerful motor rotates the blade at 4,000 rpm, so you can get through pieces faster.

This is also one of the safest models we reviewed. It features a blade guard, a lock button, an automatic brake, and both a vertical and a horizontal vice to keep the saw in place during use. It weighs only 37 pounds, so you could carry it with you.

DeWalt
DCS361B Sliding Miter Saw

Need a miter saw that can go with you anywhere? This is a cordless saw that runs on a rechargeable battery, similar to a power drill. It doesn’t have a long run time, but it’s great for powering through jobs that take you away from electricity. It’s easy to use, and features a lot of great characteristics. For example, it has a smooth lever action, which a lot of miter saws struggle with, and it has tons of great safety features.

This model is only 36 pounds. The dust collecting system is not impressive, but otherwise, this saw is perfect for a professional or serious hobbyist that wants to be able to take their saw to the project.

Craftsman
10-Inch Single Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw

If you are tired of replacing power tools, look no further. This saw may be one of the more affordable options on our list, but it offers great durability. It’s a lightweight option that can be carried with you to other work areas, but it doesn’t sacrifice on a great build or awesome precision. It does have a laser light, and it can be used in a variety of ways.

This saw’s primary draw is that it will last a long time, and it is affordable. It isn’t the largest saw in the world, so it doesn’t slice all the way through thick wood. If you often do big jobs, you may need a different saw.

This saw is ideal for a homeowner that wants a saw they can trust will be around for years.

Delta
26-2250 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw

The final saw on our list is ideal for people who do carpentry or woodworking for a living. This saw offers a ton of capabilities and has one of the largest crosscutting capabilities in any sliding miter saw. You can adjust the front bevel, you can set the machine closer to walls because of the guide system, and it features a smooth articulating system of guide arms that are very easy to adjust. Unlike other saws we reviewed, this one has decent dust collection as well.

However, it doesn’t come with many safety features, so keep that in mind.

Two Types of Miter Saws

Before you consider which brand or special features you want, it’s a good idea to consider which type of miter saw you need. There are two main types: a compound miter saw, and a sliding miter saw.

There are technically two other types, called plain miter saws and chop saws – however, these are so hard to find, and they don’t offer enough savings to justify them. Therefore, compound miter saws and sliding miter saws are really the only two types that are commonly sold, and they are the only two types we reviewed.

So, what is the difference between sliding vs compound miter saw?

A compound miter saw moves up and down and can be used for all sorts of standard jobs like cutting crown molding. A sliding miter saw has a blade that can be moved away from the fence, so it can cut through more material. This type of saw allows you to do a lot of finish work, as well as many other things. This is a great option if you do a lot of carpentry and want a saw to do it all.

Blade Size

The next thing to consider is the size of the miter saw that you need. Do you want a 10-inch saw, which works for most handyman jobs around the house, or a 12-inch saw that will allow you to take on bigger jobs?

Keep in mind that the 12-inch saw is less portable, heavier, and will take up more room in your shop. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking smaller is cheaper. A quality 10-inch saw will cost you about the same as a 12-inch saw.

Safety Features

When you are looking for the best miter saw, you also want to consider what safety features are available to you. Does it include a blade guard that is transparent? Does it include an electric brake? These things will keep you safe while you use the miter saw. Also, be sure to always wear protective eye covering when using this saw.

A Few Other Features to Consider

There are a few “extra” features that some miter saws offer that you may like – or that you may find useless. For example, do you want a miter saw with a guiding laser to help you cut straight lines? Do you want an ambidextrous grip design? How easy are the blades to change? Consider whether the extra features really do make your use of the saw easier.

Choose a Saw Based On Your Needs

Overall, the best way to choose the right miter saw for you is to do it based on what you need. Do you need a saw that will always give you perfect precision and power? Do you need a portable saw that will go with you to your projects? Is your budget more important than special features? Then take a look at these top miter saws and find the perfect option for you.

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